About this book

Covering a wide range of rapidly-developing fields of research into parasitic nematodes, this comprehensive volume discusses the genetics, biochemistry and immunology of nematode parasites of humans as well as domestic animals and plants.

This fully-updated edition also covers new advances including horizontal gene transfer, immune expulsion mechanisms, genetics of susceptibility in humans, nematode protein structures, role of bacterial symbionts, intrinsic immune response, host immune system modulation, modulation of allergic and autoimmune diseases and the use of parasitic nematodes or their products as therapeutics.

Contents

Part 1. Evolution of parasitism and life history adaptations1. The genome of Pristionchus and the evolution of parasitism2. Life history placticity and responses to host defense3. Horizontal gene transmission in plant parasites4. Innate Immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Part 2. Modulation of the host immune response5. Nematodes and T regulatory cells6. The alternatively activated macrophage7. Modulation of autoimmune and allergic responses by defined nematode molecules8. Tracking the host response in nematode immunity9. Nematodes and regulation of the inflammatory response

Part 3. Genetics of susceptibility and resistance10. Susceptibility of humans to Ascaris11. Genetics of resistance to hookworm12. Population genetics and anthelmintic resistance to nematodes of domestic animals13. Asthma, allergy and parasitic worm infections14. Genetics of susceptibility - wild animals